Bad Brains

Build A Nation

[3.5/5] Given the band’s erratic history and the utter failure that was fellow punk legends the Stooges’ recent reunion LP, one might think a new Bad Brains album in 2007-produced by the Beastie Boys’ Adam Yauch, no less-would be a complete Rastafarian abortion. And yet, despite the fact that H.R.’s vocals sound like they were recorded on another planet by Lee “Scratch” Perry (which would really just be a matter of convenience for both parties), Build A Nation isn’t nearly as horrible as it should be for a band who were at their peak in the early ’80s. In fact, it’s surprisingly decent. Of the hardcore and reggae jams within, it’s the reggae that ultimately steals the show (specifically “Natty Dreadlocks ’Pon The Mountaintop” and “Roll On”)-which is actually a relief because there’s something 10 times classier about old guys playing reggae than there is about old guys playing hardcore, even if said old guys did kind of invent hardcore. Production-wise, it’s difficult to say if Yauch’s name is anything more than a marketing ploy-the fact that he left no discernible fingerprints on the album is either a testament to his artistic discretion or a sign that he was little more than a well-paid cheerleader. Either way, the Brains are back and sounding remarkably sweet-we’ll see how long it lasts. (MEGAFORCE) J. Bennett

ROCKS LIKE:

Bad Brains’ Bad Brains

Peter Tosh’s Legalize It

H.R.’s Anthology